My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Why do we meet in the west for certificates and other honors

1st Manhattan

Registered User
Hi All,

I am the ritual director at a lodge in New York. Last night, two brothers asked me the following:

- Why does the WM ask the chaplain to escort someone west of the altar so that he can receive his certificate?

- Why are we not allowed to cross our legs when sitting inside a Masonic lodge?

Can anyone help.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
As my lodges do neither I can’t assist with the first but the legs should remain upright to show the proper respect to the proceedings. Crossed legs are a sign of casual dismissal.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
We generally present awards and the like @ the altar and the WM will instruct the Senior Warden to escort the awardee to the west SIDE of the altar. The WM will then proceed to the east SIDE of the altar to make the presentation.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Haven’t heard either of these-
Chock it up to local weirdness.
My father, an OK mason, was a feet on floor for officers as well. It is also what I’ve seen in my Cheshire Lodges and chapters. Many of us teach it in Utah also. So , a bit more than local weirdness.
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
I've never seen giving anything in the West in any of the lodges I attend here in southern Illinois, we are asked to approach the east to receive anything.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
We either ask the brother to approach to east or ask the SD to escort them to the east from West of the altar.

Officers are not supposed to cross their legs. A grand grand of instruction will have grand ritualists calling you out for it.
 

Keith C

Registered User
While Officers don't cross their legs in PA there is no restriction on the rest of the Brethren.

Here presentations are all done in the East, and it is required of everyone except the DDGM (or GM in the rare event he is at a Lodge Meeting) approaches the East on the North side of the Lodge. Therefore if you are seated in the South East, you would first have to go West to get to the Altar to cross the Lodge.
 

goomba

Neo-Antient
Site Benefactor
I'd say if people are escorted to the west of the altar it is just because it makes sense. That's a place in the lodge where the person can stand somewhat centered and facing the WM. Never heard of a crossed legs rule. That just sounds like a weird useless rule to me.
 

Ross Thompson

Site Benefactor
I have a theory on meeting in the West I'm going to ferret out, I'll let you know when I have a concrete answer.

As for legs crossed, when I'm wearing these boots I cross my legs because I want everyone to see three vamp. LOL
39c99174dc604584b32ff716d7a4a855.jpg


Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
 
Top